The 'sobering' meeting ahead of Kabul's fall
 
 
There have been plenty of tragic, gut-wrenching, and solemn moments in Afghanistan's continued unraveling, but according to Politico, one involved U.S. official cited a particular meeting last week as his 'oh, sh--' moment — or, the moment the country's collapse became a total emergency.
Early on August 12, President Biden's national security Cabinet gathered together for a pressing intelligence briefing, in which officials reportedly determined the situation in Afghanistan to be so "fluid" that the government in Kabul could fall to the Taliban "within weeks or days," Politico reports.
"It was a pretty sobering meeting," said the official. "We thought we had months ahead of us to draw down the embassy and do processing and relocation." But now, with the Taliban gaining ground "by the hour," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was recommending Biden send in troops to evacuate the embassy and protect Kabul's main airport — a decision with which every Cabinet member "unanimously agreed."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
 
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
That was the "oh, sh--" moment, said the same official. With that decision, the situation in Afghanistan officially became a crisis, writes Politico.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
- 
 Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health research Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health researchThe explainer There is no FDA-approved testosterone product for women 
- 
 Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025 Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025 
- 
 Magazine printables - November 7, 2025 Magazine printables - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025 
- 
 Gaza ceasefire teeters as Netanyahu orders strikes Gaza ceasefire teeters as Netanyahu orders strikesSpeed Read Israel accused Hamas of firing on Israeli troops 
- 
 Argentina’s Milei buoyed by regional election wins Argentina’s Milei buoyed by regional election winsSpeed Read Argentine President Javier Milei is an ally of President Trump, receiving billions of dollars in backing from his administration 
- 
 Proposed Trump-Putin talks in Budapest on hold Proposed Trump-Putin talks in Budapest on holdSpeed Read Trump apparently has no concrete plans to meet with Putin for Ukraine peace talks 
- 
 Bolivia elects centrist over far-right presidential rival Bolivia elects centrist over far-right presidential rivalSpeed Read Relative political unknown Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, was elected president 
- 
 Madagascar president in hiding, refuses to resign Madagascar president in hiding, refuses to resignSpeed Read Andry Rajoelina fled the country amid Gen Z protests and unrest 
- 
 Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime minister Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party 
- 
 Israel, Hamas agree to first step of Trump peace plan Israel, Hamas agree to first step of Trump peace planSpeed Read Israel’s military pulls back in Gaza amid prisoner exchange 
- 
 Israel intercepts 2nd Gaza aid flotilla in a week Israel intercepts 2nd Gaza aid flotilla in a weekSpeed Read The Israeli military intercepted a flotilla of nine boats with 145 activists aboard along with medical and food aid 
